WASHINGTON, D.C. – To arm bankers with up-to-date information while on the road, the Independent Community Bankers of America (ICBA) has released a list of financial tips for local banks to relay to their customers. ICBA’s membership includes more than 6,000 community banks.

“Running out of money or losing your wallet is a quick way to ruin your trip,” said Jack Hartings, ICBA chairman, and president and CEO of The Peoples Bank Co., Coldwater, Ohio. “Community bankers are relationship bankers who work with their customers, so in the event something unfortunate does happen, they will be ready to lend a helping hand.”

ICBA relates that the safest way to travel with your money is with as small amount of cash, as well as a debit or credit card. Credit and debit cards often offer the lowest fees and best exchange rates for travelers.

ICBA’s Financial Tips for Bank Customers:

  • Let your community bank know when and where you will be traveling so that you will avoid any potential denials or fraud alerts when usual transactions occur.
  • Ask your community bank about daily spending and withdrawal limits to help avoid a card denial while traveling.
  • Find out what ATM or debit card fees you might be charged while on the road.
  • Save your community bank’s customer service phone number to your phone in case you have to report your card lost or stolen.
  • Have a backup card stored in a different place when you travel in case other cards get stolen or lost.
  • Make sure your card brands are accepted at the locations or countries you are traveling to.
  • Avoid logging into your online or mobile baking account via public wireless networks.
  • Do not give financial information to callers who contact you and claim to be from your bank or credit card company, especially if they ask you to provide private information.

For more information, visit www.icba.org.